Modular multi-functional cleaning and floor care system

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the cleaning and floor care system has a reservoir assembly and a wet/dry vacuum assembly. The reservoir assembly has a wheeled chassis and an integral reservoir. The reservoir has a circumferential sidewall and an upper end. The reservoir defines an interior space for holding a fresh cleaning liquid; and the reservoir upper end defines an opening. The reservoir assembly further has a spigot fluidly connected to the reservoir interior space, with the spigot having a valve adjustable between a fully open and a fully closed position. The vacuum assembly has a recovery tank and a motor assembly. The vacuum assembly is removably positionable on top of the reservoir, and is transportable on the reservoir. Each of the reservoir assembly and the vacuum assembly is operable both when the vacuum assembly is positioned on top of the reservoir, and when the vacuum assembly is separated from the reservoir.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent document claims the benefit of the filing date ofProvisional Application No. 61/488,147, entitled “Crossover CleaningSystems” and filed on May 19, 2011. The entire disclosure of ProvisionalApplication No. 61/488,147 is incorporated into this patent document byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cleaning and floor care machines, and moreparticularly, to multi-functional cleaning and floor care machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Floors can be difficult and expensive to maintain. If not cared forproperly, they not only become unsightly, they can drive customers away,cause slip and fall accidents, and even become a health hazard.Unfortunately, traditional mopping can make matters worse. Mopping isslow, ineffective, and even potentially dangerous—leaving floorsslippery, wet, and with very few of the soils and biopollutants removed.Grouted floors are even trickier. In fact, during mopping, grout linesactually “squeegee” soil and soap scum from mops. When the waterevaporates, soils, mineral deposits, soap scum, and potentially harmfulbiopollutants are left to penetrate and coat the porous grout. Groutlines that started out light gray or white soon become stained anddarkened.

Traditional cleaning tools, like mops and wipes, remove very few soils,germs and other indoor pollutants. In fact, studies show they oftensimply spread them around. Then, workers end up crawling around on theirhands and knees wiping soiled surfaces and fixtures by hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a multi-functional cleaning and floor care system, inaccordance with the principles of the invention, has a reservoirassembly, a wet/dry vacuum assembly, and a handle in the form of afour-bend handle. The reservoir assembly has a wheeled chassis and areservoir integral with the wheeled chassis. The reservoir has acircumferential sidewall and an upper end. The reservoir defines aninterior space operable for holding a fresh cleaning liquid; and thereservoir upper end defines an opening. The reservoir assembly furtherhas a spigot fluidly connected to the reservoir interior space, with thespigot having a valve that is adjustable between a fully open positionand a fully closed position; in this fashion, when the reservoircontains a fresh cleaning liquid, a user may regulate the flow of thefresh cleaning liquid from the reservoir through the spigot by adjustingthe spigot valve. The wet/dry vacuum assembly is removably positioned ontop of the reservoir, with the wet/dry vacuum assembly having a vacuumrecovery tank and a vacuum motor assembly fluidly connected to thevacuum recovery tank. The four-bend handle is removably connected to thereservoir. A strap assembly on each side of the vacuum recovery tankreleasably connects the wet/dry vacuum assembly to the four-bend handle.The wet/dry vacuum assembly is transportable on the reservoir. Inaddition, each of the reservoir assembly and the wet/dry vacuum assemblyis operable both when the wet/dry vacuum assembly is positioned on topof the reservoir, and when the wet/dry vacuum assembly is separated fromthe reservoir.

The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system provides numerousadvantages. For example, a user may open the spigot and apply freshcleaning solution to a floor, spread and lightly brush the solution intogrout lines, and then vacuum the soils and liquid away. This results ina floor that is both clean and dry. The process is significantly better,faster, and safer than cleaning with a mop. If desired, the user mayoperate the wet/dry vacuum assembly of the invention separate and apartfrom the reservoir assembly. For example, the wet/dry vacuum assemblymay be used for picking up spills, detail cleaning, job sue cleanup,flood recovery, or for vehicle and equipment detailing.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the accompanying drawings and description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification,illustrate embodiments of the invention. And together with the generaldescription of the invention given above, and the detailed descriptionof the drawings given below, the accompanying drawings explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the modularmulti-functional cleaning and floor care system, in accordance with theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the modular multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the modularmulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 alsoshows an exploded front perspective view of an alternate embodiment ofthe invention, in which the system includes a lid (shown in phantom);

FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the modularmulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 alsoshows an exploded rear perspective view of the alternate embodimentshown in FIG. 3, in which the system includes a lid (shown in phantom);

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the modular multi-functional cleaning andfloor care system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the modular multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1, taken along line 6-6 of FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a portion of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, enlarged formagnification purposes;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the modular multi-functional cleaning andfloor care system of FIG. 1:

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the modular multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1, taken along line 9-9 of FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the modular multi-functional cleaningand floor care system of FIG. 1, further illustrating: a dump hose (in astowed position) connected to a discharge outlet of a vacuum recoverytank; and a vacuuming assembly including a squeegee floor tool connectedto a vacuum wand, with the vacuum wand connected to a length of vacuumhose, and the vacuum hose connected to a suction inlet of the vacuumrecovery tank;

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the modular multi-functional cleaningand floor care system of FIG. 1 and a wall-mounted toilet, furtherillustrating the draining of a liquid or solution from a dischargeoutlet of a vacuum recovery tank into the bowl of the toilet via thedump hose depicted in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the alternate embodiment (of themodular multi-functional cleaning and floor care system of theinvention) presented in FIG. 3, with the embodiment including the lidshown in FIG. 3:

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the alternate embodiment, shown inFIG. 12, of the modular multi-functional cleaning and floor care system:

FIG. 14 is a right side view of the modular multi-functional cleaningand floor care system of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the modular multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 14, taken along line 15-15 ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a portion of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 15, enlargedfor magnification purposes;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the modular multi-functional cleaning andfloor care system of FIG. 12:

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the modular multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 17, taken along line 18-18 ofFIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a left side view of another embodiment of the modularmulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of the invention,including a pump-and-chemical-injection assembly and a handle withadditional storage features;

FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the modular multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system embodiment of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of a further embodiment of themodular multi-functional cleaning and floor care system of theinvention, including a pump-and-chemical-injection assembly; and

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of an additional embodiment of themodular multi-functional cleaning and floor care system of theinvention, including a power supply assembly that includes a battery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate understanding of the invention, like reference numbers areused for like elements in the various embodiments described in detailbelow.

With reference to FIGS. 1-11, the particular multi-functional cleaningand floor care system embodiment 10 shown comprises a reservoirassembly, a wet/dry vacuum assembly, and a handle in the form of afour-bend handle. The reservoir assembly has a wheeled chassis and areservoir integral with the wheeled chassis. The reservoir has acircumferential sidewall and an upper end. The reservoir defines aninterior space operable for holding a fresh cleaning liquid; and thereservoir upper end defines an opening. The reservoir assembly furtherhas a spigot fluidly connected to the reservoir interior space, with thespigot having a valve that is adjustable between a fully open positionand a fully closed position; in this fashion, when the reservoircontains a fresh cleaning liquid, a user may regulate the flow of thefresh cleaning liquid from the reservoir through the spigot by adjustingthe spigot valve. The wet/dry vacuum assembly is removably positioned ontop of the reservoir, with the wet/dry vacuum assembly having a vacuumrecovery tank and a vacuum motor assembly fluidly connected to thevacuum recovery tank. The four-bend handle is removably connected to thereservoir. A strap assembly on each side of the vacuum recovery tankreleasably connects the wet/dry vacuum assembly to the four-bend handle.The wet/dry vacuum assembly is transportable on the reservoir. Inaddition, each of the reservoir assembly and the wet/dry vacuum assemblyis operable both when the wet/dry vacuum assembly is positioned on topof the reservoir, and when the wet/dry vacuum assembly is separated fromthe reservoir.

The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system 10 provides numerousbenefits. For example, a user may open the spigot and apply freshcleaning solution to a floor, spread and lightly brush the solution intogrout lines, and then vacuum the soils and liquid away. This results ina floor that is both clean and dry. The process is significantly better,faster, and safer than cleaning with a mop. If desired, the user mayoperate the wet/dry vacuum assembly of the invention separate and apartfrom the reservoir assembly. For example, the wet/dry vacuum assemblymay be used for picking up spills, detail cleaning, job site cleanup,flood recovery, or for vehicle and equipment detailing.

The particular reservoir assembly shown in the Figures is substantiallysimilar to the reservoir assembly disclosed in commonly-owned U.S.patent application Ser. No, 12/660,935, entitled “Cleaning Cart Systems”and filed on Mar. 4, 2010. The entire disclosure of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/660,935 is incorporated into this patentdocument by reference.

The reservoir assembly has a reservoir and a wheeled chassis integralwith the reservoir. The reservoir has a circumferential sidewall and abottom wall—with the circumferential sidewall including a front wall, aback wall, a left sidewall, and a right sidewall. Together, these wallsdefine the reservoir and the interior space within the reservoir—areservoir capable of holding a cleaning solution or other liquid, oralternatively, any of a number of different cleaning supplies. Thecircumferential sidewall also has an upper end and a top wall at theupper end. The top wall is integral with the circumferential sidewall,and extends outward away from the circumferential sidewall and reservoirinterior space. In addition, the top wall has a number of openings andrecessed areas, as discussed in further detail below.

The chassis includes the structure that supports the wheels. Thereservoir assembly has four wheels—two swivel casters at the front, andtwo fixed-axle wheels at the back. At the front, the chassis includes areinforced post or leg at the front lower-left corner, and a reinforcedpost or leg at the front lower-right corner. Each of these legs includesa cylindrical bore for receiving the post of the corresponding caster.At the back, the chassis includes a wheel frame at the back lower-leftcorner, and a wheel frame at the back lower-right corner.

The reservoir assembly also has a spigot fluidly connected to thereservoir, and an extension arm rearward of the back wall. The extensionarm is connected to the spigot and includes an upwardly extendingsection. A user may operate the spigot between a fully open position anda fully closed position by rotating the extension arm. The spigot makesthe system ideal for applying stripper, floor finish, gym finish, orfresh cleaning solution onto a surface in a controlled precise manner.If desired, the spigot also may be used to drain liquid from thereservoir. Additional aspects of the spigot, extension arm, and relatedfeatures are discussed in further detail below.

As mentioned briefly above, the reservoir has a top wall. The top wallalso is continuous—extending all the way around the reservoir at thecircumferential sidewall. In alternate embodiments, however, the topwall does not have to be continuous, and does not have to extend all theway around the reservoir. For example, the top wall may bediscontinuous, or may comprise one or more discrete members or segments.

Also as noted briefly above, the top wall has a number of openings andrecessed areas—openings and recesses that may be used in various ways.The top wall has a front section, a back section, a left section, and aright section—with each top wall section integral with an adjacent topwall section. Moving from the back of the reservoir to the front, thetop wall left section has a cylindrical bore, a rectangular opening, apair of circular openings, another cylindrical bore, an additionalcircular opening, and an elongated channel or recessed area—the channellocated at the front left corner of the top wall, and formed inconjunction with the top wall front section. The top wall right sectionis essentially the mirror image of the top wall left section—including acylindrical bore, a rectangular opening, a pair of circular openings,another cylindrical bore, an additional circular opening, and anelongated channel or recessed area—with the channel located at the frontright corner of the top wall, and formed in conjunction with the topwall front section. Each of these top wall right section features ispositioned directly across the reservoir from its corresponding top wallleft section feature. The top wall front section has a cylindrical boreat the midpoint of the section. Each of the cylindrical bores has abottom wall, with the bottom wall including an opening for drainage.

As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, each of these top wall featuresmay be used in a number of different ways—which contributes to theflexibility of the cleaning cart system. One leg of the four-bend handleis inserted in the cylindrical bore, and the other leg is inserted inthe cylindrical bore.

The elongated channels at the front left and front right corners of thetop wall are configured to assist in guiding a liquid from the reservoirwhen the reservoir contains a liquid and a user chooses to drain theliquid via either the front left corner or the front right corner of thetop wall. A user may use the downwardly facing exterior surface of achannel and/or an adjacent exterior rounded corner edge surface (formedwhere the reservoir front wall meets the corresponding reservoirsidewall) as a pivoting surface, e.g., against the rim of a toilet, whendraining liquid from the reservoir via the left or right front corner.

The wet/dry vacuum assembly now is described in greater detail. As notedabove, the wet/dry vacuum assembly has a vacuum recovery tank and avacuum motor assembly fluidly connected to the vacuum recovery tank. Thevacuum motor assembly is positioned on top of the vacuum recovery tank,and is releasably fastened to the vacuum recovery tank with latches. Thevacuum recovery tank has a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a backwall, a left sidewall, and a right sidewall. A suction inlet is locatedtoward the top of the front wall; and a discharge outlet is located atthe bottom of the front wall. Four swivel caster wheels extend downwardfrom the bottom wall, providing the wet/dry vacuum assembly with easy360-degree mobility.

If desired, the vacuum motor assembly may have the followingspecifications: 114-130 inches of water lift; 60-300 CFM; and 85-300 MPHblow. The wet/dry vac tank may have a capacity of about 11.5 gallons;and the wet/dry vac assembly may have 25-50 feet of vacuum hose. Ifdesired, the vacuum motor assembly may have the followingspecifications: Vac Tank: 11.5 Gallons (43.5 l); Dump/Drain Hose: 22inches (56 cm) long; Vac Tank Cleanout: 100% via Dump/Drain Hose; VacCFM: 60 cfm (1700 l/min); Blow Feature: 85 mph (137 km/h); and Vac MotorLift: 114 inches -dead head (290 cm). Other aspects of the wet/dryvacuum assembly may include: a 50 foot slinky-style vacuum hose; and a15 foot retractable electrical cord; and the vacuum motor being a heavyduty two-stage vacuum motor.

With reference to FIGS. 3-7 the vacuum recovery tank includes a supportsurface and the reservoir includes a support surface, the reservoirsupport surface supporting the vacuum recovery tank support surface whenthe wet vacuum assembly is removably positioned on the reservoir. Thevacuum recovery tank support surface directly contacts the reservoirsupport surface when the wet vacuum assembly is removably positioned onthe reservoir.

The reservoir has a lip that extends laterally from the reservoir leftsidewall, the lip in the form of the left section of the top wall. Thereservoir also has a lip that extends laterally from the reservoir rightsidewall, the lip in the form of the right section of the top wall. Thereservoir support surface comprises a portion of each of the top wallleft section and the top wall right section.

The vacuum recovery tank support surface comprises a first supportsurface extending between the front and back walls of the tank, and asecond support surface also extending between the front and back wallsof the tank. Where the tank left sidewall and bottom wall meet, there isa recess or shelf extending between the front and back walls of thetank; the first support surface is in the form of a wall portion at thisleft recess or shelf. Where the tank right sidewall and bottom wallmeet, there is a recess or shelf extending between the front and backwalls of the tank; the second support surface is in the form of a wallportion at this right recess or shelf. When the wet/dry vacuum assemblyis removably positioned on the reservoir, a portion of the reservoir topwall left section supports part of the wall portion of the left recessor shelf; and a portion of the reservoir top wall right section supportspart of the wall portion of the right recess or shelf.

The wet/dry vacuum assembly may be removably positioned at a number oflocations along the length of the reservoir. The reservoir includes afront, a back, and a length that extends from the front to the back. Andthe vacuum recovery tank includes a length that extends from the vacuumrecovery tank front to the vacuum recovery tank back. The reservoirlength is greater than the vacuum recovery tank length; and therefore,the wet vacuum assembly may be removably positioned at a number oflocations along the length of the reservoir.

Referring to FIG. 10, the modular multi-functional cleaning and floorcare system has a dump hose (shown in a stowed position) connected tothe discharge outlet of the vacuum recovery tank. The system further hasa vacuuming assembly. The vacuuming assembly includes: a squeegee floortool connected to a vacuum wand; the vacuum wand connected to a lengthof vacuum hose; and the length of vacuum hose connected to the suctioninlet of the vacuum recovery tank. If desired, the vacuum wand may be atwo-piece lightweight aluminum vacuum wand. Also, if desired, thesqueegee floor tool may be a dual-bladed squeegee head with built-inbristle brush. With reference to FIG. 11, the modular multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system is adjacent a wall-mounted toilet. Thesystem is designed such that when the wet/dry vacuum assembly ispositioned on the reservoir assembly, the discharge outlet is at aheight above the floor surface that enables a soiled liquid in thevacuum recovery tank to be gravity drained through the dump hose intothe toilet bowl without lifting the vacuum recovery tank.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 12-18 show another embodiment of the modularmulti-functional cleaning and floor care system. This embodiment has allof the elements and components of the embodiment described above, andfurther has a cover member in the form of a lid. As best seen in FIGS. 3and 4, the lid (shown in phantom in FIGS. 3 and 4) has a top wall, abottom wall, and a circumferential sidewall connecting the top andbottom wails. The size and shape of the top wall correspond generally tothe site and shape of the reservoir top wall. In this manner, the lidmay be easily positioned on, and removed from, the reservoir. When thelid is seated in place, the lid bottom wall is positioned slightlywithin the reservoir interior space. The lid sidewall has a height suchthat the vacuum recovery tank support surfaces are supported by thereservoir support surfaces—with the tank contacting the lid, and the lidcontacting the reservoir. The tank wheels are positioned within thespace defined by the lid.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, another embodiment of the modularmulti-functional cleaning and floor care system is shown. Thisembodiment has the reservoir assembly and wet/dry vacuum assemblydescribed above. In addition, this system has apump-and-chemical-injection assembly (also referred to herein as a pumpsystem) and a handle with additional storage features. The pump systemincludes: a fresh water inlet line connected to a pump inlet; a pump; afresh water outlet line connected from a pump outlet to a Venturi-typechemical injector; a chemical draw line connected to the chemicalinjector at an outlet end, and connected (or connectable) to a chemicalcontainer at an inlet end; and a spray line connected to the chemicalinjector outlet, and connectable to a cleaning tool (e.g., a spray gun).

A user may apply automatically diluted cleaning solution to fixtures andfloors in low pressure, and then wash the soils loose with a power rinseof always-fresh, clean water. The indoor pressure washer flushes soilsout of grout lines and tight places that mops cannot reach. Then a usermay vacuum the floor dry—completely removing soils, moisture, andbiopollution from all surfaces, grout lines, and crevices, leaving thefloor dry and soil free.

With regard to the pump, if desired, the pump may have the followingspecifications: 0.75-1.2 GPM, 150-500 PSI; 1.0-3.5 amps; and 120 VAC.Also, the spray line may be 25-50 feet in length, and may have an ID of¼-⅜ inch. If desired, the pump system may have the followingspecifications: Spray Line: 32 feet (9.75 m); Quick-Connect Spray Gun;Electrical Cord: 25 ft. (7.6 m); Pressure: 150 psi (10.3 bars); LowPressure Flow Rate: 1.20 GPM (4.5 l/min); and High Pressure Flow Rate:0.30 GPM (1.1 l/min).

Referring to FIG. 21, a further embodiment of the modularmulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of the inventionincludes a pump-and-chemical-injection assembly (also referred to hereinas a pump system) in which the pump assembly is removably connected tothe reservoir at the reservoir back wall, and is supported by a casterwheel.

Referring to FIG. 22, an additional embodiment of the modularmulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of the invention has apower supply assembly that includes a battery. The power supply assemblyis removably positioned on top of the reservoir, rearward of the wet/dryvacuum assembly.

Modular multi-functional cleaning and floor care system embodiments, inaccordance with the present invention, may be made using any suitablematerial(s) and manufacturing technique(s). For example, if desired, thereservoir assembly may be made of polypropylene using injection molding;and the wet/dry vacuum tank may be made of plastic using rotationalmolding.

In use, the modular multi-functional cleaning and floor care systemprovides many benefits and advantages, several of which have beenmentioned in this patent document. If desired, the system may be used byone user/worker. Alternatively, the system may be used by multipleusers/workers—simultaneously. For example, the wet/dry vacuum assemblyand the reservoir assembly may be separated from each other; and oneworker may apply cleaning solution with the reservoir assembly, whileanother worker brushes the work surface on which the solution has beenapplied, and vacuums up the soil-containing solution.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description ofembodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been describedin considerable detail, it is not the intention of the inventors torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the following claims to suchdetail. For example, in another embodiment, a wipes container isprovided in which a first roll of dry wipes already is packaged in thecontainer (e.g., during manufacture and assembly by a manufacturer).Additional advantages and modifications readily will appear to thoseskilled in the art upon a reading of this patent document. Theinvention, in its broader aspects, is therefore not limited to thespecific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrativeexamples shown and described in this patent document. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departing from thespirit or scope of the inventors' general inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-functional cleaning and floor caresystem, comprising: a reservoir assembly including: a wheeled chassis; areservoir comprising a circumferential sidewall and an upper end, thereservoir defining an interior space operable for holding a freshcleaning liquid, the upper end defining an opening; a spigot fluidlyconnected to the reservoir interior space, the spigot including a valvethat is adjustable between a fully open position and a fully closedposition, whereby when the reservoir contains a fresh cleaning liquid, auser may regulate the flow of the fresh cleaning liquid from thereservoir through the spigot by adjusting the spigot valve; a wet vacuumassembly removably positionable on the reservoir, the wet vacuumassembly comprising a vacuum recovery tank and a vacuum motor assemblyfluidly connected to the vacuum recovery tank; the wet vacuum assemblytransportable on the reservoir; and each of the reservoir assembly andthe wet vacuum assembly operable when the wet vacuum assembly ispositioned on the reservoir, and when the wet vacuum assembly is notpositioned on the reservoir.
 2. The multi-functional cleaning and floorcare system of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is integral with thewheeled chassis.
 3. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care systemof claim 1 wherein the reservoir circumferential sidewall includes thereservoir upper end that defines the opening.
 4. The multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of claim 1 wherein the wet vacuumassembly is removably positionable atop the reservoir.
 5. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 1 wherein thereservoir assembly and the wet vacuum assembly are configured forpositioning of the wet vacuum assembly on, and removal of the wet vacuumassembly from, the reservoir assembly without the use of a tool.
 6. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 1 furthercomprising a handle removably attachable to the reservoir, the handleattachable to and removable from the reservoir without the use of atool.
 7. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 6further comprising a fastener configured to releasably connect the wetvacuum assembly to the handle without the use of a tool, when the handleis attached to the reservoir, and the wet vacuum assembly is positionedon the reservoir.
 8. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care systemof claim 1 wherein the vacuum recovery tank includes a support surfaceand the reservoir includes a support surface, the reservoir supportsurface supporting the vacuum recovery tank support surface when the wetvacuum assembly is removably positioned on the reservoir.
 9. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 8 wherein thevacuum recovery tank support surface directly contacts the reservoirsupport surface when the wet vacuum assembly is removably positioned onthe reservoir.
 10. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care systemof claim 8 wherein the reservoir includes a left sidewall and a rightsidewall, a lip extending laterally from the left sidewall, and a lipextending laterally from the right sidewall, the reservoir supportsurface comprising at least a portion of each of the left sidewall lipand the right sidewall lip.
 11. The multi-functional cleaning and floorcare system of claim 10 wherein the vacuum recovery tank includes afront and a back, the vacuum recovery tank support surface comprising afirst support surface extending between the front and the back and asecond support surface extending between the front and the back, atleast a portion of the left sidewall lip supporting at least a portionof the first support surface, and at least a portion of the rightsidewall lip supporting at least a portion of the second support surfacewhen the wet vacuum assembly is removably positioned on the reservoir.12. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 11wherein the reservoir includes a front, a back, and a length thatextends from the front to the back, and wherein the vacuum recovery tankincludes a length that extends from the vacuum recovery tank front tothe vacuum recovery tank back, the reservoir length greater than thevacuum recovery tank length, whereby the wet vacuum assembly may beremovably positioned at a plurality of locations along the length of thereservoir.
 13. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system ofclaim 1 wherein the wet vacuum assembly further comprises a plurality ofwheels, whereby the wet vacuum assembly may be moved across a floorsurface on the plurality of wheels when the wet vacuum assembly ispositioned on the floor surface.
 14. The multi-functional cleaning andfloor care system of claim 1 wherein the wet vacuum assembly is operablefor both wet and dry vacuuming
 15. The multi-functional cleaning andfloor care system of claim 1 wherein the vacuum recovery tank includes adischarge outlet, the cleaning system constructed and arranged such thatwhen the wet vacuum assembly is positioned on the reservoir, thereservoir is on the wheeled chassis, and the wheeled chassis is on afloor surface, the discharge outlet is at a height above the floorsurface that enables a soiled liquid in the vacuum recovery tank to begravity drained into a toilet bowl without lifting the vacuum recoverytank.
 16. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 1wherein the reservoir comprises a back wall, and the cleaning systemfurther comprises an extension arm rearward of the back wall, theextension arm connected to the spigot and including an upwardlyextending section, whereby a user may operate the spigot between thefully open position and the fully closed position by rotating theupwardly extending section of the extension arm.
 17. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 16 wherein thespigot is at the reservoir back wall.
 18. The multi-functional cleaningand floor care system of claim 1 further comprising a cover memberconfigured to cover at least a portion of the reservoir opening.
 19. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 18 wherein thecover member is configured to cover all of the reservoir opening. 20.The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 18 whereinthe vacuum recovery tank includes a support surface, and the reservoirincludes a support surface, the reservoir support surface supporting thevacuum recovery tank support surface when the cover and the wet vacuumassembly are removably positioned on the reservoir.
 21. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 20 wherein thereservoir support surface contacts the cover member, and the covermember contacts the vacuum recovery tank support surface.
 22. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 1 furthercomprising a pump-and-chemical-injection assembly removably positionableon the reservoir.
 23. The multi-functional cleaning and floor caresystem of claim 1 further comprising a power supply assembly including abattery, the power supply assembly removably positionable on thereservoir.